By Kalea Hall and Nora Eckert
DETROIT (Reuters) – Chuck Browning, who was a prominent leader of the United Auto Workers union and negotiated its deal with Ford Motor (NYSE: ), is retiring, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
Browning announced his retirement Tuesday at a meeting of local union leaders in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is leading negotiations between the union and Volkswagen (ETR: ) at the plant there, which last year became the first foreign-owned auto plant in the US South to organize.
He is one of the most prominent officials behind UAW President Shawn Fain and helped secure a record deal with Ford Motor during the labor group’s six-week strike at the end of 2023. Automakers General Motors (NYSE: ) and Stellantis (NYSE: ) followed suit , agreeing to a 25% base salary increase and cost-of-living adjustments.
Browning is expected to step down after finalizing the deal with Volkswagen, leaving his post before the union’s next presidential election, scheduled for 2026.
The UAW and Browning did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Browning has been a member of the union’s international staff since 2000. He was elected vice president by the UAW International Executive Committee in 2021, and was sworn in for a second term in 2023 in the union’s first direct election, in which Fain was elected president.
